WASHINGTON — During a confirmation hearing on October 28, Marc Berkowitz, nominated for assistant secretary of defense for space policy, suggested that the United States should consider streamlining national security space programs. This could involve tighter integration between the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the U.S. Space Force.
Berkowitz, a veteran space policy strategist, told the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) that unifying elements of the defense and intelligence space communities "should be worth considering." He argued that closer integration of the NRO and the Space Force could lead to improved efficiency in acquisition and operations. Both organizations build and operate satellites for different purposes: the Space Force for military missions and the NRO for intelligence gathering.
Berkowitz, who previously held positions such as assistant deputy undersecretary of defense for space policy and vice president for strategic planning at Lockheed Martin, has been a prominent voice in discussions about the military's space organization. He has previously argued that the creation of the Space Force in 2019 has not fully resolved inefficiencies. As he wrote in SpaceNews, “inefficient defense space acquisitions, one of the main concerns which prompted the U.S. Space Force’s creation, has not been resolved."
During the hearing, Berkowitz, along with other Pentagon nominees, discussed the future of national security space programs and the proposed missile defense initiative "Golden Dome." Berkowitz stated that his priorities, if confirmed, would include “sustain America’s position as the world’s leader in space activities … enable creation and operation of the Golden Dome for America comprehensive homeland missile defense, and strengthen U.S. space and missile defense forces to restore deterrence, achieve peace through strength, or, if necessary, prevail in conflict.”
"Golden Dome," led by Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein, is envisioned as a multi-layered homeland defense system that can detect and intercept missiles. The system would use satellite constellations equipped with advanced sensors and possibly space-based interceptors.
Berkowitz stated that he expects to “work very closely and collaboratively with General Guetlein and all of the department’s components involved in the Golden Dome program... on sensors, as well as potentially space based interceptors, but also on the battle management, command and control and communications capabilities." Joseph Jewell, another nominee, added that he would prioritize research in space-based sensing and missile detection technologies. “If confirmed, I intend to support research in space technology,” Jewell stated.
Berkowitz emphasized that “unimpeded access and use of space is of vital national interest.” He highlighted the growing counterspace and missile capabilities of China as a key threat. He mentioned challenges such as “addressing the national security policy issues required to enable us to deal effectively and urgently with the pace, scope and complexity of space and missile threats, and the second is the broader national policy issues to sustain United States position as the world’s leader in space exploration and use.”
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) questioned whether the undersecretary of the Air Force should also serve as director of the NRO. Berkowitz responded that he had considered various options for “improving the efficiency of the department’s space activities.” He noted that “throughout much of the history of the national security space program... the defense and National Reconnaissance Office programs were run very efficiently and effectively. And so if that is an option that’s worth considering, I would support it, if it was appropriate.”
Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) supported reducing duplication across agencies, saying, “We can’t afford to develop parallel space capabilities where there’s overlap and the cost involved is enormous,” and encouraged Berkowitz to “continue your provocative thinking.”